7.6

Overview

1926 was the year when the world first heard the word Mercedes-Benz. It was then formed and is very well known for its luxurious vehicles like buses, cars, coaches and list always keep on increasing. GLS Class is also a fine production of the company which came into existence in the year 2006. It has got great success till now in the market and always working for more.Mercedes Benz GLS Class is a large luxurious SUV which has a seating capacity of seven. It offers three trim levels namely GLS 450, GLS 550 and AMG GLS 63. The base model i.e. GLS 450 comes at a price of $69,550 in which it got 3.0 L V-6 Biturbo engine and 9-Speed Automatic Transmission System which can produce reasonably good torque and power among the class. It is an all-wheel drive vehicle which is very smooth over the roads due to its suspensions.GLS 450 is not an SUV that can be known for its engine but it is best when it comes to luxury features and safety. It provides 8” central display, COMAND infotainment system and sound system that feature HD radio and two USB ports. The steering and handling of the car is very smooth and gives good fuel efficiency. It got one of the best safety features which include 7 airbags which can protect the host in case of any mishappening.

GLS 63 AMG 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl Turbo 7A)

Expert Review

carhp editorOctober 29, 2018

7.6

Overall Rating

8.1/10Features

7.7/10Engine

6.8/10Fuel Economy

7.9/10Interior

7.7/10Exterior

Ranging from a price tag of $94,950 dollars for the top end variant and $64,550 dollars for a slightly less specked out the variant of the car, the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 happens to boast a 4.7L engine that churns out 449 bhp which is sports car territory for a few.

Features

8.1/10

You expect some really interesting things to come in the car. Because of the price that you might be paying, it really delivers and provides a bang for the buck. There are different options that come along with the two variants of the car. For the GLS 550, it costs $94,950 dollars and provides some premium sedan features in an SUV. Things like electric steering, all-wheel drive, auto stop engine features, premium interiors are all included.

But for the lower end GLS 450, it starts from $69,550 dollars which gives you some of the few features of the top end variant. You get LED light everywhere. From the headlights to the tail lights, everywhere. Adjustable shock absorbers, along with Bluetooth radio and other stereo features are standard.

We recommend

There isn't anything that we can recommend, you can go for either of the cars as the specifications might differ a lot. But then both of them happen to pack the punch for the kind of money that you are shelling out. Yes, they are expensive, so choose your options well to accommodate your expenditure.

Engine

7.7/10

"The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is supremely confident on slippery roads thanks to the Dynamic Select modes on the drivetrain, which includes a Slippery setting."-KBB

Engine and Transmission

For the kind of money that you are paying, it's a basic requirement for the engine to be powerful. That's why the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 happens to sport a 4.7L I8 engine that delivers 449bhp @5250 rpm. 516lb-ft of torque is very aggressive for an engine in an SUV but a wonderful engine after all. But then moving your heads on the competition then you come to the realization that none of the cars are that powerful. Some might cost way more than the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 but then excel in other areas.

Power is where the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 happens to excel the most and in terms of acceleration, it's the fastest when compared to its competition. Its 0-60mph happens to be under 5 seconds and quarter-mile range scores about 13.5 seconds.

Models

Mercedes Benz GLS 550

Cadillac Escalade Platinum

2019 Volvo XC90 Excellence

Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6

0-60 MPH

5.0

5.9

5.6

6.2

Quarter mile

13.5

14.4

14.1

14.6

Engine

4.7 L

6.2 L

2.0 L

3.0 L

Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)

11.0

10.4

9.2

NA

Looks like the 550 is the best performer amongst its competitors. Its quickly charges ahead and maintains at least a time gap of half a second with its competitors i.e the Escalade, the XC 90 and the Rangerover.

Handling and steering

You might be wondering what such a big car, it might wobble on corners, but then the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 outperforms your thoughts and expectations mainly because of the all-wheel-drive system that the car has been fitted with.

The steering feels light and handles beautifully. Also, the power and handling just go seamlessly together such that you get the cornering just right and also make it even agiler in rough terrain. The off-roading experience with the car is amazing and will definitely surprise you in every way possible.

Braking

In terms of stopping the beast, the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 is fitted with relatively huge brakes both in the front and the back. The front is about 14.8 inches and the back being 13.6 inches. But if you think it weighs more than its only weights 5,578 lbs. which is light indeed.

Model

Mercedes Benz GLS 550

Cadillac Escalade Platinum

2019 Volvo XC90 Excellence

Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6

Brake Front (in.)

14.8

17

13.2

15

Brake Rear (in.)

13.6

17

12.1

14.4

Curb Weight (lbs.)

5,578

5,856

5,059

4,974

60-0 MPH (ft.)

NA

NA

NA

NA

The braking distance of all the four SUV's are not available so far and so we cannot judge their performance.

Fuel Economy

6.8/10

This is a strong suit for the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 as despite having the powerful engine with the craziest of performance, the fuel economy is just low, significantly low. In a city it might give only 14 mpg and, on the highway, it gives about 19 mpg. Overall an average of about 16 mpg.

Model

Mercedes Benz GLS 550

Cadillac Escalade Platinum

2019 Volvo XC90 Excellence

Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6

MPG (city)

14

14

17

17

MPG (highway)

19

21

23

23

MPG (combined)

16

17

25

19

This is the place where the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 lacks is where the Volvo shines amongst the competition. This becomes the major drawback of having such heavy engine with such a power-packed performance.

Interior

7.9/10

"Our test car was equipped with Mercedes' Designo leather interior that offers Bentley quality at about half the price."- Edmunds

Seating and comfort

A place where you can find the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 to excel again is the comfort and seating. Mainly in this category, you can witness that the car can accommodate 7 passengers comfortably without any kind of hesitation and can give them no problems for long drives whatsoever.

Model

Mercedes Benz GLS 550

Cadillac Escalade Platinum

Volvo XC90 Excellence

Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6

Passenger capacity

7

7

4

5

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

41.2/58.5/40.3

39.7/64.9/45.3

38.9/57.7/40.9

39.3/60.7/42.5

Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

40.0/58.3/38.5

38.7/64.4/39.0

38.5/56.5/37.0

39.2/59.4/40.2

Third (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

38.9/50.5/35.0

38.1/62.2/24.8

The GLS 550 gives a very gig headroom, it lags behind the Escalade and Range Rover in terms of Shoulder room and leg room. However they are on par with that of the Volvo XC90

Interior Features

Is it's a Mercedes, then you can expect some fancy new gizmo to always be there and the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 doesn't come shy of anything. Some of the interior features are given below.

This the region where every SUV must and should sine in order to retain its badge of an SUV, and the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 just does that by proving ample amount of space in every direction. Even with each of the three seats folded, it simply provides greater storage options than the others.

Model

Mercedes Benz GLS 550

Cadillac Escalade Platinum

Volvo XC90 Excellence

Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6

Cargo Volume with 3rd row up (ft.3)

16

15.2

15.8

31.8

Cargo Volume with 2nd row folded (ft.3)

49.4

51.6

31.8

31.8

Cargo Volume with the 3rd row folded (ft.3)

93.8

94.2

85.7

68.6

Like discussed before, the Cadillac Escalade Platinum also provides the same features as that of the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 but then an inch short of the Mercedes. The Volvo comparatively is a good car, but then in terms of cargo storage and other utility things, it doesn't do that great of a job. However, the Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6 is simply out of the competition because, in the class of cargo, it's inferior to the rest of the competition.

Towing capacity.

For premium SUV's this might not be the category, but the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 happens to have a maximum towing capacity of about 7500 lbs. that makes it very durable in many ways possible. Also towing can become easy because of the immense power that it happens to pack.

Model

Mercedes Benz GLS 550

Cadillac Escalade Platinum

2019 Volvo XC90 Excellence

Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6

Maximum Towing Capacity

7500

8100

5000

7716

The Cadillac Escalade Platinum beats the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 by having a towing capacity of about 8100 lbs. The Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6 comes close with its towing capabilities by having a maximum towing capacity of about 7716 lbs. But in the end, the least amount of towing capacity by having only 5000 lbs. would be the Volvo. Thus the GLS 550 can be rated as an average tower amongst its competition.

Exterior

7.7/10

"The GLS-class has clean exterior lines and a boxy shape that is rather tapered and rounded at the edges."- Car and Driver

Dimensions and weight.

Ranging with that premium design and build of a luxury SUV, the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 has everything that might give you the best in class exterior features that you might want. With a length design and the best ground clearance, you can definitely be impressed with it at all times.

Model

Mercedes Benz GLS 550

Cadillac Escalade Platinum

2019 Volvo XC90 Excellence

Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6

Curb weight (lbs.)

5,578

5,856

5,059

4,974

Length(in)

202.6

203.9

194.9

196.8

Width(in)

84.3

80.5

79.1

81.6

Height(in)

72.8

74.4

69.9

73.3

Ground clearance (in)

8.5

8.0

9.4

8.7

Wheelbase (in)

121.1

116.0

117.5

115.0

Track width (in) F/R

64.8/65.6

68.7/68.7

66.0/66.1

66.3/66.6

The Cadillac Escalade Platinum on the other hand simply comes short to what the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 misses out on. The Volvo happens to be one of the shortest of the competition out there. Coming down to the Range Rover you can expect it to be small and fine looking. Thus the GLS 550 scores a good rating amongst its competition.

Exteriors features.

The 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 happens to have some of the best exterior features that you could find on an SUV. Some of which are given below.

A 4-wheel drive system.

Speed Sensitive Rain Detecting Variable Intermittent Wipers

Gas-pressurized shock absorbers.

4-corner auto-leveling suspension.

Front and rear anti-roll bars.

Electric Power-Assist Speed-Sensing Steering

Dual Stainless-Steel Exhaust w/Chrome Tailpipe Finisher

Fully Galvanized Steel Panels

LED Brake lights

Audio Theft Deterrent

Safety

Safety ratings and features.

The 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 does sport some impressive safety features that can impress you. The car hasn't been tested by the NHTSA and the IIHS, therefore the ratings haven't been given below. But the safety features of the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 are as follows.

Competition

Mercedes Benz GLS 550 vs Cadillac Escalade Platinum.

The Cadillac Escalade Platinum, in general, is a car that is relatively powerful and offers specifications of the money that you pay. With premium sedans like features and an overall sleek design, it's as big as an SUV but then performs amazingly like a sports car.

In comparison to the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550, you can be surprised to see several of the features being very close. The overall fuel economy is very low and doesn't surprise you in any way. But then the Cadillac Escalade Platinum does cost more while still retaining its durable and luxury factor.

Mercedes Benz GLS 550 vs 2019 Volvo XC 90 Excellence

The Volvo, on the other hand, won't surprise you in any way possible. Yes, for Volvo enthusiasts, they might find this car different and special. the only area where this car shines and outperforms everyone else is in the department of fuel economy, which is very high even for an SUV.

When put side by side to a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550, you can see that the Mercedes is a machine that just beats the Volvo in every nuke and corner. Mainly because of its powerful engine, high interior spaces and other areas that can favor the Mercedes in most of the ways.

Mercedes Benz GLS 550 vs Range Rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6

The range rover HSE 3.0L Supercharged V6. is a car that a small family of four could have. It's a car that will neither disappoint nor impress. It's a mediocre car that delivers specifications that come right in the middle of everything. Nothing special is to be mentioned other than the price tag which is cheaper than the rest.

But against the 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550, you can expect it to be not that great or not great at all. Because of the Mercedes having everything that is huge and massive with out of this world specifications, the range rover just can compete with it in any way possible.

Final Verdict

The 2018 Mercedes Benz GLS 550 is a machine that some would only dream to have. Yes, it's a Mercedes that provides everything that you wish for but in the size of an SUV. Providing top-notch specifications and every sort of features available, it sports it all.

But then when you look down to the two variants of the car, you can see the huge price gap that can make it a bargain to have. Like to poles of a magnet, they are that far apparat and the low-end spec model simply doesn't offer much as the high end one.

Yes, this car isn't designed for all of them out there. For hardcore enthusiast and fanatics of the Mercedes brand and want something that makes you look superior to others, then this is the perfect car for you. Or else other options are available that can provide you with a much better package after all.